H.Res.103 - Congratulating the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon on its continued success in support of the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital.113th Congress (2013-2014)

Congratulating the Penn State
IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon on its continued success in support of the Four
Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital.

Whereas the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon
(commonly referred to as “THON”) is the largest student-run
philanthropy in the world, with 710 dancers, more than 15,000 volunteers, and
more than 300 supporting organizations involved in the annual event;

Whereas student volunteers at the Pennsylvania State
University annually raise money and dance for 46 consecutive hours at the Bryce
Jordan Center, bringing energy and excitement to the Pennsylvania State
University campus for the mission of conquering pediatric cancer and promoting
awareness of the disease to thousands of individuals;

Whereas all THON activities support the mission of the
Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital, which provides
financial and emotional support to pediatric cancer patients and their families
and funds research on pediatric cancer;

Whereas THON is the largest donor to the Four Diamonds
Fund at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital each year, having raised more
than $100,000,000 since 1977, when the 2 organizations first partnered;

Whereas, in 2013, THON set a new fundraising record of
$12,374,034.46, surpassing the previous record of $10,686,924.83, set in
2012;

Whereas THON—

(1) has helped more
than 2,000 families through the Four Diamonds Fund;

(2) is helping to
build a new Pediatric Cancer Pavilion at Penn State Hershey Children’s
Hospital; and

(3) has supported
pediatric cancer research that has caused some pediatric cancer survival rates
to increase to nearly 90 percent; and

Whereas THON has inspired similar organizations and events
across the United States, including at high schools and institutions of higher
education, and continues to encourage students across the United States to
volunteer and remain involved in great charitable causes in their communities:
Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of
Representatives—

(1) congratulates the
Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (commonly referred to as
“THON”) on its continued success in support of the Four Diamonds
Fund at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital; and

(2) commends the
Pennsylvania State University students, volunteers, and supporting
organizations for their hard work in organizing another record-breaking
THON.